Bordelon, born on Dec. 25, 1920, was a Marine Corps staff sergeant. He destroyed three enemy machine gun positions and rescued two wounded Marines, ignoring his own injuries, on the first day of the three-day invasion of the Pacific island. He was killed in a burst of enemy fire just as his last explosive destroyed a fourth machine gun post, according to official reports.

He was first buried on Tarawa, and then moved to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1995, his family had his remains moved to San Antonio, where they lay in state at the Alamo — he was one of only five people ever to receive that honor — and was re-buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

His family and supporters since have faced a long struggle to get Bordelon the recognition he deserved. In March, the City Council agreed to have a section of I-37 downtown named for him. The signs declare the stretch that passes the Alamodome, between I-35 and I-10, the Staff Sgt. William J. Bordelon Freeway.

Angelo DiPasquale, a World War II veteran who lobbied hard for the honor, said the sign includes the Navy’s Medal of Honor insignia, unlike other highway signs erected in memory of others awarded the nation’s highest honor for bravery.

“That’s the first time any of the Medal of Honor signs have had anything like that put on them,” said DiPasquale.

He said the Texas Department of Transportation expects to have the two signs up in about two weeks.

So you’ll soon be able to see them and salute as you pass. Or just belt out a hearty “Hooah” — better to keep both hands on the steering wheel.

Scott Huddleston

3 Responses

This is a story about a true Texas/American hero it’s to bad people have to nit-pick about how a non word is spelled or pronounced. Without men such as SSGY Bill Bordelon we would be talking about the German or Japenese pronunciation.